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Strategic Goal 1: LeadershipProviding leadership in all
facets of policy development,
from the progression of key
sector-reforms to developing
innovative solutions to
complex policy issues.
The Department provides policy advice and
support on key priorities and pressure points
for Government and Ministers with respect
to the economy, industry, infrastructure,
planning and the environment. The reform of
community and human services across the
Western Australian public service is also an
important focus, particularly in partnership
with the not-for-profit sector.
The Department also has a coordination
role with respect to negotiations with the
Commonwealth and relevant State public
sector agencies, for the provision of diverse
State services to the citizens of the Indian
Ocean Territories.
Priorities during 2015-16 included major
infrastructure funding arrangements with
the Commonwealth; responding to the
impacts of the State’s reduced revenue,
particularly declining Commonwealth
contributions and key community and human
service reform areas including Aboriginal
Affairs, disability services, youth justice and
child protection. Other priorities included;
a reduction in the regulatory red tape
affecting business; reforms to streamline
and reduce duplication with Commonwealth
environmental approvals; the Strategic
Assessment of the Perth Peel Region; and
the next phase of the Kimberley Science
and Conservation Strategy.
Promoting the State’s interests
at the national level In 2015-16, support to the Premier
and Cabinet focussed on pressures on
State finances resulting from diminishing
Commonwealth transfers and receiving
only 30 cents back for every goods and
services tax (GST) dollar paid by Western
Australians. The Department promoted the
State’s interests in bilateral and Council of
Australian Governments (COAG) negotiations,
particularly in promoting fundamental reform
of the GST distribution arrangements.
Challenges for Western Australia include
recognition of the high cost of service delivery
in rural and remote areas, and avoidance of
‘one-size-fits all’ solutions. A proposed new
national competition reform agreement is
expected to include payments to States to
redistribute the benefits of reform.
The Department coordinated engagement
with the Commonwealth on national
infrastructure issues, including the 15 Year
Australian Infrastructure Plan prepared
by Infrastructure Australia. In May 2016,
the Premier signed a revised National
Partnership Agreement on Infrastructure
Projects in Western Australia which included
a $490 million Commonwealth top-up
contribution for the Forrestfield Airport
Link Project.
Discussions have commenced on the
competition reforms arising from the
Commonwealth’s Harper Competition Policy
Review; and the Department will provide
input to negotiations with the Commonwealth
towards finalising the new agreement, which
COAG will give consideration to in late
2016/early 2017.
Strengthening regulatory reformContinuing work with the Commonwealth
on bilateral agreements for environmental
assessments and approvals was a priority
for the Department, to reduce duplication
of regulatory processes and cut costs and
delays for businesses. The Department also
continued to work with the Department
of Finance in implementing the whole-of-
government Plan to Reinvigorate Regulatory
Reform (the Plan) to drive innovation, and
reduce barriers to entrepreneurial activity,
productivity, investment and employment.
Through the Plan, the Government has cut
red tape, led progressive deregulation and
regulatory reform, and improved regulatory
assessments, particularly in the following
reform priority areas for 2015-16:
• business licensing;
• home building regulations;
• transport reform;
• liquor regulations;
• agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries
regulations; and
• environmental approvals and
administrative burden.
Two regulatory mapping projects relating to
opening a restaurant and building approvals
have identified roadblocks, excessive costs,
duplicative processes and practical solutions.
Further ‘90 day projects’ will be carried out
in 2016-17 to conduct rapid mapping of
priority areas.
Investing in the State’s natural
and cultural heritageThe Kimberley Science and Conservation
Strategy (the Strategy) is the largest
investment into the natural and cultural
heritage of the Kimberley in the history
of Western Australia. It is a multi-agency
program across seven government agencies.
The Department leads negotiations of
Indigenous Land Use Agreements and Joint
Management Agreements related to the
Strategy, with native title parties. The Strategy
has also enabled the implementation of
conservation and research projects, such as
the Landscape Conservation Initiative and
Kimberley Marine Research Program.
Annual Report / 19
During 2015-16, the Department provided oversight for the second year of the comparative trials of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Ranger from
Parks and Wildlife,
Kimberley, inspecting
animal species from
the region
More than 200 traditional owners have been
engaged through the Landscape Conservation
Initiative to manage fire, feral animals and
weeds across the Kimberley landscape with
traditional owners, pastoralists and other land
managers. This has resulted in the reduction of
the area of country burnt by destructive late dry
season fires from 36% to 17%, across more
than 6.5 million hectares of the north Kimberley.
The commencement of 25 marine research
projects across the Kimberley has also
occurred as a result of $12 million in State
funding made available through the Western
Australian Marine Science Institution. These
projects form part of the Kimberley Marine
Research Program, which aims to improve
management and help protect marine
ecosystems and wildlife. Research will inform
the management of the Kimberley marine
park network and guide future development
opportunities including tourism, resource
development, fisheries and aquaculture.
Supporting the future growth
of our State The Strategic Assessment of the Perth and
Peel Region (Strategic Assessment) is led by
the Department of the Premier and Cabinet,
in collaboration with the Departments of
Planning; Parks and Wildlife; Environment
Regulation; Water; Mines and Petroleum;
and the Office of the Environmental Protection
Authority, as well as other agencies. The
Strategic Assessment will deliver ‘class of
action’ approvals, under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999, for the future development required to
support the expansion of the Perth and Peel
regions to 3.5 million people.
The draft Strategic Assessment documents
were released for public comment in
December 2015. During the public
consultation period, held from 17 December
2015 to 13 May 2016, a total of 592
written submissions and 3,046 pro-forma
submissions were received and 52 key
stakeholder briefings were conducted by
the Department with industry, professional
bodies, community and environmental
groups, and local government.
It is anticipated that the package of final
Strategic Assessment documents will be
submitted to the Commonwealth Minister for
the Environment for consideration by the end
of 2016. The Commonwealth Government’s
endorsement of the Strategic Assessment is
anticipated in 2016–17, and will significantly
reduce the requirement for Commonwealth
environmental approvals for the next 20 years
for urban, industrial, infrastructure and rural
residential development as well as basic raw
material extraction in the region.
The Department also continued to provide
advice to the Premier on opportunities to
optimise existing State infrastructure, and to
ensure the effective management of major
new infrastructure including involvement in
interagency oversight of the commissioning of
the Perth Children’s Hospital, and completion
of the new Perth Stadium.
Working in partnership to
achieve better outcomes for
the community The Department facilitates the reform of
community and human services across
the Western Australian public sector with a
particular focus on working in partnership
with the not-for-profit community sector to
achieve better outcomes for the community.
Key policy areas include disability services,
Aboriginal affairs, justice, youth, child
protection and community safety. Strong
relationships with other government agencies
and not-for-profit service providers have
developed to drive collaboration in the policy,
design and delivery of community and human
services. Common themes include enhancing
coordination of services across multiple
government agencies, providing choice
Lalang-garram/Camden Sound Marine Park in the
Kimberley is the most important humpback whale
nursery in the southern hemisphere
Hon Colin Barnett, MLA;
Premier; Minister for Tourism;
Science with Scott Prince
(maroon) and Steve Menzies
(blue). State of Origin rugby
league will be played at the
new Perth Stadium.
Annual Report / 21
Yellow-billed Spoonbill bird
on the edge of Lake McLarty
and control for service users, devolving
decision making and providing flexibility to
the front-line.
During 2015-16, the Department provided
oversight for the second year of the
comparative trials of the National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Western
Australia, including negotiating the extension
of the trials for 12 months and the expansion
into new geographic areas. The trials will help
to inform the future State-wide roll out of the
NDIS in Western Australia.
The Department worked with relevant
agencies to develop a State-wide
Methamphetamine Strategy, including
cross-government initiatives to combat
supply, demand and use of the drug in
the community.
The Department also worked with key
agencies to facilitate the development of
a package of initiatives to combat family
and domestic violence in the Kimberley,
which balances a targeted policing
response with a new way of working with
Aboriginal communities to address and
prevent violence.
Throughout 2015-16, the Department
continued to coordinate State bilateral
negotiations in Indigenous Affairs and
promoting the State’s interests on specific
initiatives and advocating greater alignment
of Commonwealth investment with State
Government reform priorities such as the
Regional Services and Aboriginal Youth
Investment reforms. Support was also
provided to the Royal Commission into
Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse by coordinating Western Australia’s
participation in roundtable discussions,
submissions to issues and consultation
papers, and responses to notices to
produce information.
Building Western Australia’s
scientific expertise and
capabilities Since the Premier released the Science
Statement for Western Australia in
April 2015, the Office of Science, together
with the Western Australian Chief Scientist,
Professor Peter Klinken, has been working
in collaboration with Government, industry
and researchers at the local, national and
international level to deliver initiatives that
contribute to growing the Western Australian
economy through science.
The Office of Science continues to lead
many science initiatives that have raised the
profile of science in the State, particularly
through leading the Square Kilometre Array
(SKA) project, the Premier’s Science and
Agribusiness Connect Program (SAC) and
managing various State Government grants
and awards programs.
The Office has developed and launched
different programs under the SAC initiative, to
enhance capability in the agricultural science
sector and improve agricultural practices in
Western Australia. Through the SAC, there
will be the opportunity to attract world-class
researchers; build capacity through tertiary
student scholarships, exchanges and work
experience; and foster innovation and
entrepreneurship among farmers.
These efforts have been enhanced by the
implementation of a Science Capability
Directory to allow users to tap into science
expertise across the State. Work will continue
on building a local narrative on science
to promote the accomplishments and
opportunities for the State, and to ensure
that the State continues to build its research
capability through the continuation of the
Premier’s Fellowship Program that aims to
attract and retain the best and brightest
research minds within the State.
Gum and grass trees
in the Peel region
Peel – Harvey Estuary
Montgomery Reef, Kimberley
22 / Annual Report
Copernicus event at the Pawsey
Supercomputing Centre during
the Big Data Week
Her Excellency the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western
Australia at the inaugural Governor’s School STEM Awards
This picture was taken at the
Advanced Remanufacturing
and Technology Centre,
Singapore. Professor Peter
Klinken is third from the left
standing alongside Ms Fiona
Roche, Executive Director,
Of"ce of Science
The Office supported the Premier in hosting
a Science Roundtable which focussed
on building on the Science Statement for
Western Australia and bringing together key
individuals from across the science priority
areas to discuss how the State Government
could assist in delivering science outcomes
and seize opportunities so the Western
Australian economy can continue to grow
and prosper.
The Premier’s Marine Science Roundtable
was coordinated by the Office, which
developed the blueprint for the Marine Science
Initiative – Implementation Strategy 2016-18.
This strategy will guide the foundation of long-
term collaboration among all sectors operating
in the marine environment.
The Office worked with its partners to
establish and fund the Western Australian
Biodiversity Science Institute so that terrestrial
biodiversity science is properly funded and
research effort is prioritised towards areas of
greatest conservation need.
The Office contributed to the planning and
delivery of key science engagement strategies
and initiatives, including the Premier’s Science
Awards and Perth Science Festival, which
was attended by more than 26,000 people
over two days. In addition, the Office provided
support to the inaugural Governor’s School
STEM Awards that recognised leadership
in the development and delivery of school
education programs in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Big Data Week from 2 to 6 May 2016
was launched at Scitech by Minister Marmion
and was sponsored and supported by the
Office of Science. The Office also administered
funding of an additional $21.6 million for the
Pawsey Supercomputing Centre (Pawsey),
the largest publicly owned supercomputer in
the Southern Hemisphere; to allow Pawsey
to compete for SKA work tasks and support
data-intensive research in radio astronomy
and numerous other fields such as health
sciences, geosciences, engineering, agriculture
and biodiversity. In the same week, the
Science on the Swan medical conference was
held. The Office sponsored the conference
due to its importance in fostering collaboration
amongst the medical science community both
locally and internationally.
The increasing emphasis on meeting
demand for data-intensive research, as well
as creating links within and between data
sources, has led to a review of the State’s
data linkage capabilities. Western Australia’s
Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken, is
chairing the Data Linkage Expert Advisory
Group charged with undertaking the review,
whose members also include Mr Giles Nunis,
the Western Australian Government Chief
Information Officer, and Professor Fiona
Stanley, Founding Director of the Telethon Kids
Institute. The Advisory Group is considering
how the State can build on its strengths in
data linkage and, in turn, enhance the social
and economic benefits for the community
through a whole-of-government approach.
The Office further developed its relationships
with its South East Asian counterparts through
a visit to Singapore by the Chief Scientist
and the Executive Director, to participate in a
roundtable presentation on innovation and data
management in Western Australia with a select
group of Singaporean experts. At the invitation
of the Department of State Development, the
Executive Director, also met with all overseas
offices in April 2016 to explore opportunities
to work collaboratively to promote WA’s
science capabilities.
Annual Report / 23
The OMce of Science contributed to the planning and delivery of as well as providing support to the inaugural Governor’s School STEM Awards.
Strategic Goal 2: Organisational CapabilityLeading and supporting
our people through
providing development
opportunities and an
engaging work environment
to produce the best services,
and leaders for today and
the future.
Providing employment and
career opportunities The Department offers a range of employment
prospects in the areas of policy advice,
project management and corporate support.
Recruitment activities are undertaken for
positions and in 2015–16, the Department
received 855 applications in response to
20 advertised positions, and recruited five
Graduate Development Officers and two
School-based Trainees.
Acting or secondment opportunities can also
be offered for career development and the
graduate and trainee recruitment programs
provide excellent opportunities for young
professionals to learn and develop new skills
whilst working in a central government agency.
Graduates and trainees are rotated through
various functional areas of the Department
and are provided with valuable on-the-job
experience, mentoring and training and
development. Trainees work towards attainment
of an accredited Certificate in Government and
Graduate Development Officers participate in
the Public Sector Commission Graduate Future
Leaders Program.
Supporting people with
a disabilityThe Department is committed to providing
employment opportunities for people with a
disability and has continuously maintained
the Supported Work Team Program since
2007, which consists of five employees who
work part-time and carry out tasks that are
based on their levels of individual capability
and skills.
Over the years, a number of employees
who initially engaged in this Team have
successfully gained full-time or part-
time permanent employment within the
Department or other public sector agencies.
Supporting the health and
wellbeing of employeesThe Department supports the health and
wellbeing of employees through a range of
activities, and ensures that employees and
their immediate family members have access
to professional counselling services through
the Employee Assistance Program.
The Department promotes the importance
of a safe workplace by ensuring all
managers and supervisors complete
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training.
The well-established OSH Committee
meets regularly and OSH representatives
conduct ongoing inspections of all
departmental offices.
The Department pledges support for the
One Life Suicide Prevention Strategy and
continuously aims to increase awareness
of, and consequently reduce, the stigma
surrounding people with mental health issues.
To maintain this pledge, the Department
regularly organises activities and provides
information to staff on relevant topics.
The Department also supports workplace
giving arrangements and a number of
other community support initiatives,
including group blood donations, which are
organised throughout the year. In 2015-16,
14 employees donated blood during their
working day.
Supporting the communityThe Department has pledged its support
to Defence Force Reservists and is a listed
Supportive Employer with the Defence
Reserves Support Council. Defence Force
Reservists called to serve their obligations are
provided immediate access to leave.
On a weekly basis, the Department promotes
‘free dress day’ with funds raised going to
various charities nominated by employees.
In 2015–16, donations totalling $5,441 were
raised through this activity.
Twenty eight staff members participated in
Movember in 2015, which included holding a
‘Movember Bake Off’ raising a total donation
of $1,258, promoting a positive community
spirit within the organisation.
From bottom left: Robert Kennedy, Kathryn Andrews, Peter Conran and David Smith
with Graduate Development Of"cers and School-based trainees.
Annual Report / 25
Strategic Goal 3: ImplementationProviding implementation
support through
coordinating, monitoring
and partnering.
The Department provides support and advice
to stakeholders on a diverse range of projects
and initiatives across Government, at local,
national and international levels. The focus,
in this regard, is to enable the delivery of
initiatives that contribute to growing the
Western Australian economy and ultimately
improve the lives of Western Australians.
Promoting Western Australia’s
interests overseasThe Department’s three overseas offices
(representing Europe, North Asia and the
Middle East and Africa) pursued a number
of trade and investment opportunities for
Western Australia over the past year, acting
as an important link for many industries to key
overseas markets. This includes industries
involved in oil and gas exploration and
production; transport infrastructure; maritime-
related defence; fine food production (e.g.
honey and saffron oil); and agriculture.
European OfficeThe European Office in association with
the Department of State Development and
the Australian Marine Complex participated
and exhibited at the Offshore Europe 2015
conference and exhibition, Aberdeen,
Scotland, 2015, promoting the State as
an oil and gas investment and business
development location with particular
attention given to promoting the LNG18
conference in Perth.
During 2015-16, the European Office
developed a direct email campaign to identify
European (and North American) corporate
delegates to LNG18 and promote associated
industry briefings being hosted by the
State Government.
The European Office and the Australian
Marine Complex attended the biennial
Defence, Security Exhibition International,
DSEi 2015, London, to promote awareness
of the State’s capacity to support/sustain
defence sector activity, particularly
maritime-related.
The Agent General twice visited Brussels,
to address European Commission-organised
mineral resources workshops on ‘best
practices in mining policies and technologies’
as part of the Raw Materials Diplomacy
Dialogue event. Support was provided by the
Department of Mines and Petroleum.
The Agent General also addressed the
‘Smart Metro World Congress’, Copenhagen,
November 2015, to promote transport
infrastructure business development
opportunities in Western Australia (with
support from the Public Transport Authority)
and visited SKA Headquarters at Jodrell
Bank, Manchester, for discussions with
SKA Director General, Prof. Phil Diamond,
on the SKA project.
In conjunction with various other State
offices, the European Office participated
under the ‘Australia’ banner at London
Technology Week in June 2016.
With respect to trade development activities,
the European Office also worked with a
number of Western Australian companies
across various industry sectors including
agriculture, to develop export opportunities
and relationship-building for their products
and services including:
• Wolf Minerals, the opening of its Hemerdon
tungsten and tin mine in Devon, UK, the
first metallic mine to be opened in the UK
in 50 years.
• Curtin University, promoting development
interest in its mineral resources magnetic
field sorting technology.
Agent General, Mr John Atkins
and Prof. Phil Diamond
26 / Annual Report
• GRD Franmarine, promoted its hull-
cleaning technology to UK/European
audience, including an industry briefing
at Australia House.
• Wine tasting in Australia House.
With 25 wineries participating, over
90 wines were tasted.
• Elixir Raw Honey, provided market
intelligence and arranged meetings.
• The West Winds Gin – Margaret River,
provided market intelligence on the
UK market.
North Asia Office During 2015, the North Asia Office facilitated
visits by the Treasurer, the Minister for
Agriculture and Food and Members of the
Western Australian Legislative Council.
The purpose of these visits was to meet with
high level officers and executives in the public
and private sectors to reaffirm and extend
Western Australia’s commitment to its
relationship with Japan.
The key pillars of Western Australia’s
relationship with Japan have long been
minerals and energy. The Office is now
moving to add agriculture as a key pillar
and the visit by the Minister for Agriculture
and Food was vital in achieving this result.
During his visit the Minister met with Japan’s
Minister for Agriculture and agreed that there
was great potential for Western Australia to
become an even stronger stable supplier
of safe and high quality food to Japan.
The development of the agriculture and food
supply capability of the State’s north will
be a major factor in increasing supply and
the Japanese Government is proactively
supporting Japanese private sector
investment in the region.
Likewise with the Australia-Japan Free Trade
Agreement now in place, our agricultural
producers are reaping new benefits of doing
business with Japan. The Office arranged and
hosted visits by numerous Western Australian
producers, assisting many to identify
importers of their products, ranging from
fresh produce to olive oil and chia seeds.
The Office also hosted visits by the Western
Australian Treasury Corporation and more
than 40 in market visits by Western Australian
companies. The Office acts as an important
link between the Treasury Corporation and
the Japanese financial sector and produces
a monthly newsletter in Japanese that
has become a valuable tool in dispersing
information on the Western Australian
economy and opportunities for investment.
Promotion of Western Australian education
services is playing an increasingly important
role in the activities of the Office. In 2015,
the Office organised for an influential group
of Japanese study abroad education agents
to tour Western Australian facilities and
interact with key industry figures. This is
an ongoing project that has seen tangible
results. The number of Japanese students
Former Minister for Agriculture and Food,
the Hon Ken Baston MLC, with former
Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and
Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Mr Pankaj Savara,
Commissioner of the Western Australian Trade Office, exchange greetings
on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan
studying in Western Australia has increased
year on year and a recent highlight is the
Tokyo City University program that facilitates
three-month stays at ECU for 200 students
per year.
The establishment of a direct flight between
Tokyo and Perth is an ongoing Office priority
and 2015 saw the Office ramp up activity
in this sector. As Japan’s major airlines
study the feasibility of re-establishing the
route, the Office in conjunction with Tourism
Western Australia, Perth Airports and the
City of Perth continues to present a viable
case. Direct flights will benefit not only the
tourism and business travel sectors but also
the high value and important live seafood
trade between Japan and WA. Japan remains
a strong customer for Western Australian
seafood exporters and a direct flight will greatly
enhance the trade.
In the resources realm, the Office is
constantly dispersing information on
exploration and potential for investment.
Of particular interest to Japanese investors
is onshore gas and the currently underway
Canning Basin development is a positive
example of the way forward.
Middle East and AfricaThe Western Australian Trade Office (WATO),
Dubai, maintains business relations through
continuous engagement with regional and
industry leaders across focussed industry
sectors. WATO’s Commissioner maintains a
high-level government relationship specifically
in United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, and Common Market for Eastern
and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries
fostering greater bilateral relations for the
long-term benefit of the State and WA’s
businesses. Significant achievements during
2015-16 were:
Annual Report / 27
Western Australian Minister for
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries official
visit to the Middle East Egypt, Qatar,
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Delivered outbound program including
meetings with key government officials,
networking events, business meetings, and
media coverage in major Gulf countries as
well as the emerging market, Egypt. WATO
leveraged the high-level Western Australian
Government presence in the region for
strategic profiling of Western Australian
commodities export value as well as preferred
destination for food and water security needs
to key Middle East markets.
Official delegation led by the Minister for
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries, Western
Australia, the Hon. Ken Baston MLC visited,
Dubai, Abu Dhabi in UAE; Riyadh and
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Doha in Qatar; and
Cairo in Egypt. The delegation included
industry representation from CBH Group and
DAFWA’s livestock and meat division.
Egypt Trade Initiative
WATO initiated focussed market development
resources for the Egyptian market to
promote Western Australian meat, grains
and fresh produce. Through WATO’s
continued assistance, Western Australia’s
meat and grain exporters have achieved
commercial success.
WA-Africa Ongoing Relations
WATO representative in Nairobi maintained
the ongoing engagement with COMESA with
regards to generating deliverables from the
WA-COMESA MoU signed in 2014.
WATO facilitated the participation of
COMESA representatives in Africa Down
Under (ADU) 2015. The mission to Perth was
facilitated in coordination with the Department
of State Development and the Department of
Mines and Petroleum (DMP).
WATO Nairobi further represented Western
Australian interests and capabilities at the
world’s largest mining conference, Mining
Indaba. The participation and engagement
with ADU and Mining Indaba provided the
ideal platform to raise the Western Australian
profile in the mining industry.
Through active development, a three-day
mining governance and capacity building
workshop was coordinated by WATO Nairobi
to be delivered in Ethiopia and Kenya by DMP.
Two workshops, one in each country, were
presented in February 2016. The workshops
are a tangible outcome as outlined in the WA-
COMESA MoU. Both Ministries were positive
about this achievement and look to further
bilateral relations between the regions. The
Kenya Ministry in particular has requested a
similar workshop for the oil and gas industry.
Engaging with Post-Sanction Iran
With the positive outlook of Iran’s return to the
global market, WATO initiated relations with
prominent Iranian businesses located in UAE.
Dubai has historically been a hub for Iranian
trade as well as host to many local business
owners with counterparts in Iran. Through
continuous engagement, and in coordination
with the Department of State Development,
WATO organised the first Iranian business
visit to Perth post sanction in January 2016.
The inbound visit included the head of the
Dubai-based retailer and the heads of its
Tehran-based counterpart. Dialogue regarding
diversification of its business into meat, grain
and resources has been initiated.
WATO subsequently developed a market
opportunities report on Iran for the Western
Australian Government and to create
industry awareness.
Managing State occasions
and official visits The Department continued its role of
providing direct support to the Office of the
Premier and Executive Government through
the coordination and delivery of official
visits by Royalty, Heads of State, Heads
of Government, Ministerial, Ambassadorial
and other official visits to the State. The
Department also arranges State hospitality
functions and special events, which are
often included within these visit programs.
With each visit, staff in the State Ceremonial
and Events Team are required to provide
specific advice on matters of protocol and
international relations and is dedicated to
facilitating the creation of positive business
relationships and economic outcomes for
the State.
The Team also facilitates the strengthening
of existing international links by managing
visits and events for high-level dignitaries
who are here to commemorate Sister-
State relationships between the respective
countries and Western Australia. In
November 2015, the Team planned and
managed a State hospitality event during the
visit by the Governor of East-Java, to honour
the 25th year of the Western Australian-East
Java Sister State Relationship.
Bringing international tourism attention to
Western Australia in November 2015, the
Team (in conjunction with the Department of
the Prime Minister and Cabinet) meticulously
planned a highly successful visit by Their
Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales
and The Duchess of Cornwall. During the
three-day visit, the Team facilitated visits
by the Royal Couple to Albany, including a
local winery, the Albany Agricultural Show
and the National Anzac Centre. In Perth,
their programs involved a 600-person
birthday celebration for His Royal Highness
at the Cottesloe Civic Centre; visits to the
Biodiversity Conservation Centre (Seed Bank)
Hon Michael Sutherland, MLA, Speaker for the Legislative Assembly with Mr Ian
Blayney, MLA, Member for Geraldton and Mr John Shute from the Department of State
Development along with Mr Pankaj Savara welcome Iranian business delegates to Perth
28 / Annual Report
and the State Library of Western Australia;
and a public walk through Kings Park.
Promoting collaboration
in policy and planning As part of the State Government’s
commitment to deepening the relationship
between the public and not-for-profit sectors,
the Department continued to support the
Partnership Forum (the Forum). The Forum’s
Strategic Directions include a sustained focus
on reforming the Government’s procurement
of community services through the
implementation of the Delivering Community
Services in Partnership Policy. In addition, the
Forum has been supporting the development
of integrated service systems, engagement
of service users in co-design of community
services, better use of data, and cultural
change based on the Partnership Principles
and Behaviours.
In March 2016, the Department hosted the
‘State of the Partnership’ Community Event
– opened by the Hon Donna Faragher MLC
and attended by over 330 representatives
from across the public and not-for-profit
sectors, to showcase and explore the
successes and challenges of working
in partnership.
Providing strategic, cross
portfolio advice on land, State
and Commonwealth approvals
and Indigenous issuesThe Department, through the Land,
Approvals and Native Title Unit (LANTU),
provides strategic advice on multiple land
use policies and projects, and is the State’s
primary manager of all Western Australian
compliance with the Commonwealth Native
Title Act 1993 (NTA).
The execution of six South West Settlement
(the Settlement) Indigenous Land Use
Agreements (ILUAs) signalled the completion
of a major body of work by LANTU –
including the presentation of 33 briefings to
State and Local Government representatives
on related land and heritage components
– and, subject to the completion of all legal
procedures, the implementation of all ILUAs
could commence in December 2016.
Additionally, the commencement of the
Noongar Recognition Act 2016, Land
Administration (South West Native Title
Settlement) Act 2016 and publication of
the water by-law amendments means
that the State Government has fulfilled key
preconditions to the full commencement of
the Settlement.
Managing and coordinating
security incidents and
emergenciesThe Office of State Security and Emergency
Coordination provides advice and support
to the Premier on matters associated with
security policy and planning and emergency
management policy in Western Australia.
The Department works in partnership
with Western Australia Police and other
agencies to ensure that the State meets its
obligations under national counter-terrorism
arrangements.
In addition, the Department provides
representation on:
• the Australia-New Zealand Counter-
Terrorism Committee;
• the Australia-New Zealand Emergency
Management Committee;
• the State Emergency Management
Committee (SEMC); and
• a number of related working groups.
Through the Australia-New Zealand
Counter-Terrorism Committee, the
Department has participated in the
development of a National Counter-Terrorism
Strategy. It has also facilitated policy work
associated with approaches to countering
violent extremism in Western Australia.
The Department has also provided
the Premier with advice in relation to
Commonwealth Government consultations
on amendments to the Criminal Code
as part of packages of national security
legislation. In this context, the Department
has chaired the Australia-New Zealand
Counter-Terrorism Committee’s Legal Issues
Working Group which was tasked with
considering a nationally consistent approach
to pre-charge detention for terrorism
suspects and considering the merits of a
post-sentence detention regime for high risk
terrorist offenders.
The Department also facilitated counter-
terrorism discussion exercises involving
senior Government officials and the owners
and operators of critical infrastructure.
The Department represented Western
Australia on the Australia-New Zealand
Emergency Management Committee
(ANZEMC), together with a representative of
the SEMC. It also contributed to the annual
preparedness report produced by the SEMC.
Support was provided to the Director General
in his role as a member of the SEMC and the
Department also participated in SEMC’s Risk
Sub-Committee, policy review groups and
workshops as required.
Supporting a whole-of-
government approach to
recovery coordination Following the Waroona Bushfire, the State
Recovery Coordinator recommended to the
Premier and the State Emergency Coordinator
that a State Recovery Controller be appointed
to coordinate the recovery process. This
appointment was due to the scale and
significance of the impacts of the fire, in
particular on the town of Yarloop. The Premier
appointed Dr Ken Michael AO as the State
Recovery Controller on 19 January 2016.
As a consequence of the scale of the ‘clean-
up’ challenge, the State Recovery Controller
made an offer to the Shires of Waroona
and Harvey to take responsibility for project
management of the clean-up of affected
residential properties. Both Shires agreed to
accept the offer of State assistance, and the
clean-up is expected to be completed by
August 2016.
Western Australian Government signing at
the Indigenous Land Use Agreements for
the South West Native Title Settlement
Annual Report / 29
ABOVE: Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales
and The Duchess of Cornwall during their visit to
Western Australia in November 2015
30 / Annual Report
Western Australian Natural
Disaster Relief and Recovery
ArrangementsWestern Australian Natural Disaster Relief
and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA)
are the State’s measures to assist
communities to recover from the effects
of a natural disaster. The measures mirror
the national arrangements and ensure the
maximum possible contribution by the
Commonwealth Government.
The measures are designed to address
community impacts on the following:
individuals, families, small businesses,
primary producers, local government and
State infrastructure.
The Department’s role is to assess whether
these measures should be activated
in line with agreed criteria and then to
provide the eligible assistance through its
stakeholder bodies.
Stakeholder bodies include:
• Main Roads WA;
• Department for Child Protection and
Family Support; and
• Department of Agriculture and Food.
For WANDRRA to be activated, eligible
costs must exceed $240,000. Eligible events
include bushfire, earthquake, flood, storm,
cyclone, tornado, storm surge, landslide,
tsunami and meteor strike.
In this financial year, the measures available
under WANDRRA have been activated for the
following five events:
• Heavy Rainfall and Associated Flooding
(30-31 July 2015)
• Bushfires – Esperance (15 November 2015)
• Bushfires – Peel and South West Regions
(6 January 2016)
• Heavy Rainfall and Associated Flooding in
the South West (18-21 January 2016)
• Heavy Rainfall and Flooding in the South
West Land Division (19 – 27 March 2016)
35 local government authorities
$67,057,677
A total of
have been affected by the above events
and the expenditure for this year is
Yarloop bush fire devastation
Annual Report / 31
Strategic Goal 4: Advice and SupportProviding quality and timely
policy advice to support the
Premier and Cabinet.
Delivering quality and
timely services to support
the administration of
Government.
The Department plays a key role across
the public sector by ensuring that the
Premier and senior officials are provided
with high quality advice from a whole-of-
government perspective.
The Department’s ongoing support for the
functions of the Premier and Cabinet involves:
• providing strategic advice and services
pertaining to the operation of the Premier’s
office, ministerial offices and Members of
Parliament including former Members;
• coordinating and delivering various official
visits, State hospitality functions and
special events;
• conveying information to the Premier and
Cabinet Ministers about issues that may
impact on their agencies, through the
Cabinet referral process;
• supporting Executive Council administrative
processes; and
• managing the Government’s legislative
program.
Providing support and advice
on a variety of projects across
GovernmentThe Whole of Government Strategic Projects
Branch comprises State Ceremonial and
Events, support to the Minister for Veterans
and support and advice on a diverse range
of projects and initiatives across Government.
WA Day
The Department funds Celebrate WA to
assist with the activities that occur over the
WA Day long weekend.
From Saturday, 3 June 2016 to Monday,
6 June 2016, the WA Day Program featured
eight events with 10 programs. These
included the WA Day Festival and State
of the Art Music Festival (held at Elizabeth
Quay); WA Day Perth Racing and Pioneers
Luncheon. Free events took place in regional
sites of Albany, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder
and Port and South Hedland.
The total community reach/participation
levels increased 35% from 118,612 in 2014
to 184,009 in 2015. In 2015, the WA Day
campaign reached a total of 24.6m unique
users of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Duyfken Foundation
The Department funds the Duyfken 1606
Replica Foundation to manage the Duyfken
replica sailing ship as an ongoing tourist
and education attraction, encompassing
the early maritime history of Australia and
Western Australia.
With support from Lotterywest, the Duyfken
has undergone extensive renovation and
maintenance work in preparation for her
voyage to Shark Bay and Dirk Hartog Island
as part of the Dirk Hartog commemorations
in October 2016. These works included
replacement of the old deck with new
timbers, using many of the traditional timber
skills of 400 years ago as well as a complete
upgrade of the electrical system and
engine room.
The Department is working with the
Foundation to negotiate a seasonal presence
at Elizabeth Quay from early 2017.
Shark Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Western Australia recorded zero shark related
fatalities in 2015, but unfortunately lost two
ocean users in one week in June 2016.
The Department continues to work closely
with stakeholders to monitor and research
the development of new approaches as
they become available and provide ongoing
oversight of the Government’s shark hazard
mitigation strategy.
Beach enclosures
A new enclosure was deployed at the
Busselton foreshore in November 2015,
with the enclosure at Old Dunsborough
re-deployed in each successive summer
season following a successful trial in 2014.
In July 2015, the Premier announced funding
for two further beach enclosures at Albany’s
Middleton Beach and Sorrento Beach in
the City of Joondalup. The enclosure at
Middleton Beach was deployed in March
2016. In May 2016, the Minister for Fisheries
announced further funding to support the
deployment of the enclosure at Sorrento
Beach, and further support for an enclosure
at Quinns Beach in the City of Wanneroo.
Surf Life Saving Western Australia
An additional $655,000 per annum was
committed to Surf Life Saving Western
Australia for three years from 2015-16 to
2018-19 for the continuation of extended
aerial patrols in the south west.
Dirk Hartog
Planning for the Dirk Hartog 400 year
anniversary gained momentum in 2016 with
Royalties for Regions funding allocated to a
number of initiatives to mark the significant
occasion for Western Australia.
Aboard the Duyfken in January 2016,
the Premier launched a new educational
website developed by the Western Australian
Museum, dedicated to Dirk Hartog and the
Dutch East India Trading Company (VOC); the
Accidental Encounters exhibit was on display
in Kalbarri from October 2015 to March 2016,
attracting more than 32,000 visitors; and
teaching resources developed by the History
Teachers Association of Western Australia
and the Science Teachers Association of
Western Australia were launched in 2016.
32 / Annual Report
The Department continues to work closely
with Dutch Government representatives,
the Shire of Shark Bay, the Gascoyne
Development Commission, Department of
Parks and Wildlife and the Western Australian
Museum to deliver further initiatives in the
lead up to 25 October 2016.
Veterans
The Department continues to provide
the secretariat function for the Veterans
Advisory Council’s quarterly meetings.
The ten member Council serves as a panel
of experts for the Minister for Veterans and
as a strategic level communication channel
for the veterans’ community with the
State Government.
In partnership with the Office of the Minister
for Veterans, the Department supported
a project to honour Western Australia’s
17 Victoria Cross and two George Cross
recipients. The project will see plaques placed
at rest stops on Albany Highway between
Perth and Albany and along South Western
Highway between Pinjarra and Kirup. The
series of plaques, called Commemoration
Way, will be installed by a work party of
Hon Joe Francis, MLA,
Minister for Emergency
Services; Fisheries; Corrective
Services; Veterans announcing
Commemoration Way at Kings
Park in April 2016
minimum security (Section 95) prisoners and
will be in place by Remembrance Day 2016.
The Department assisted in the amendments
to the ANZAC Day Act 1960, which passed
through Parliament in March 2016 and will
see the Department become responsible for
the administration and distribution of funds
collected under the Act.
Other Projects
The Department worked closely with other
stakeholders on:
• the establishment of the State Recovery
Coordination Group following the
devastating bushfires in Yarloop and
surrounding areas in the Shires of Harvey
and Waroona;
• the independent public inquiry into the
organisation and management of the
bushfires;
• facilitation of the transfer of the ANZAC
House site to the RSL WA;
• the Sunset Transformation project;
• coordination of responses to Parliamentary
Committee reports that involve multiple
portfolios; and
• other projects.
Providing scientific advice
to GovernmentThe Chief Scientist of Western Australia,
Professor Peter Klinken, plays a key
leadership role in the science community
and provides strategic advice to Government
and to the Premier as Minister for Science.
Professor Klinken has raised the profile
of Western Australian science on many
fronts, including through his contribution to
key discussions surrounding the National
Innovation and Science Agenda; chairing the
expert advisory group reviewing the State’s
data linkage capabilities; and participating
in high-level visits to the United Kingdom,
Denmark and Singapore to forge links and
gain insights into the frameworks used to
drive a science economy.
The Chief Scientist will continue to work in
collaboration with Government, industry and
researchers at the national and international
levels to deliver initiatives that contribute to
growing the Western Australian economy.
Coordinating Western Australian
Government input into
intergovernmental negotiationsThe Department’s COAG Secretariat
facilitates work across the public sector
to ensure the Premier, Cabinet and the
Department’s senior officers are provided
with high quality advice regarding
intergovernmental matters from a whole-of-
government perspective. In 2015-16, the
COAG Secretariat supported successful
intergovernmental initiatives through COAG
in countering violent extremism, reducing
violence towards women and their children,
addressing methamphetamine use and key
reforms in health funding.
Through COAG and related discussions, the
Secretariat continued to support the Premier
in advocating for an equitable distribution
of GST revenue to Western Australia, which
resulted in the ‘top-up’ grant of $490 million
that will be used to replace State funding for
the Forrestfield-Airport Link.
The Secretariat also facilitated the State’s
role in major free trade agreements such as
the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement,
the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
and a review of the Singapore-Australia Free
Trade Agreement.
Supporting Executive
Government and delivering
services to CabinetCabinet Services staff continue to provide
procedural, operational and other services
to the Cabinet, including:
• programming Cabinet business and
setting agendas;
• supporting the operation of the
Executive Council;
• supporting the management of
parliamentary business and the legislative
program of the Government; and
• administrative support to Cabinet Sub-
Committees, including the Economic and
Expenditure Reform Committee (EERC).
Support was provided for 44 Cabinet meetings, including regional Cabinet
meetings in Geraldton, Peel and Busselton
and a community Cabinet meeting at
Wanneroo-Joondalup. Cabinet considered
a total of 762 submissions.
Annual Report / 33
Executive Council
26 regular Executive Council meetings and 11 extraordinary meetings were held, with 639 submissions approved. Assistance
was provided for three reconstitutions of the
Ministry during the year, in addition to:
• a joint sitting of Parliament on
28 April 2016 to enable the appointment
of Mr Pat Dodson as a Western Australian
Senator, following the resignation of
Senator Joe Bullock; and
• the issue of writs and proclamation for the
Federal election on 2 July 2016 following
the dissolution of the Senate and House
of Representatives on 9 May 2016.
Educating students and
the general public about
our parliamentary and
electoral systems The Constitutional Centre of Western
Australia (the Centre) is one of a kind in
Australia. The Centre principally aims to
promote awareness of, and encourage
balanced debate on our federal system of
Government, with particular emphasis on
its constitutional basis; and to educate the
general public about our parliamentary and
electoral systems.
In addition to the education programs
conducted in the metropolitan area, the
Centre targeted thousands of students
and teachers in regional areas of the State,
with education officers delivering programs
in towns such as Albany and Kalgoorlie.
The Centre also provided materials for
remote and regional schools.
Throughout the year, a number of civics and
citizenship partnership events were held on
how the three levels of government operate,
and individual and community involvement
in a vibrant democracy. These events,
which are a joint priority of the Centre, the
Western Australian Electoral Education Office
and the Office of Multicultural Interests,
continue to target culturally and linguistically
diverse communities in both regional and
metropolitan areas.
Constitutional Centre Advisory Board
The Constitutional Centre Advisory Board
is comprised of eleven members appointed
for a three year term.
Prof Colleen Hayward resigned from the
Advisory Board in November 2015.
Statistics
Website visits: 74,546.
Visitors to the Centre: 56,382.
Community groups/schools
Centre visits: 40,661.
Printing and publishing services
for parliament and GovernmentAs the Government’s official publisher, the
State Law Publisher (SLP) publishes ‘under
authority’ of the Government Printer, all State
legislation and legislation materials.
SLP provides support for the Parliament
of Western Australia with the printing and
processing of all Chamber documents required
for the operation of both Houses of Parliament.
Support and assistance is also provided with
the Bills and Tabled Papers databases.
Copies of these legislative publications
can be ordered by telephone, mail, or by
email. Online access is also available on
the SLP website at www.slp.wa.gov.au to
databases of various current and archived
legislation materials.
Electronic Uptake of the
Government Gazette
The Gazette digitisation project which
commenced in 2006 was completed
during the 2015-16 financial year with all
Gazettes published since 1836 now being
available online.
The project was initiated due to the
deterioration of old paper copies of the
Government Gazette held by the State
Law Publisher. A number of organisations,
including State and local government and
private sector organisations donated paper
copies of Gazettes which enabled the better
quality copies to be selected for scanning
and achieving the best possible reproduction
for the database.
The Government Gazette database now
contains copies of all published Gazettes and
text searchable indexes dating back to 1836
which is when the Gazette commenced being
published in Western Australia.
Reprints Program
The reprints program continued during the
year with support provided by the SLP to
assist the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
A total of 102 titles of legislation were
consolidated and reprinted.
The more popular titles that have extensive
amendments are fast-tracked through the
reprint process. As a result of this process,
titles become more user friendly with less
volume, and purchase costs are reduced for
users of these publications.
Providing Ministerial Support The Ministerial Support Unit (MSU) consists
of Ministerial Support; Ministerial Air Charter;
Correspondence and the Community
Comment Line. MSU works together to
• Economic and Expenditure
Reform Committee
The Economic and Expenditure Reform
Committee met on 19 occasions. It considered 308 reports, including 89 submissions from
Ministers. Seventeen matters were also
considered by the Treasurer under his
delegated authority.
• Aboriginal Affairs Cabinet
Sub-committee
The Aboriginal Affairs Cabinet
Sub-committee met on five occasions
and considered 37 reports.
• Coastal Towns and Settlement Cabinet
Sub-committee
The Coastal Towns and Settlements
Cabinet Sub-committee met on
17 August 2015 to consider its final
report and to conclude the objectives
of the terms of reference set out in 2014.
Parliamentary Services
Assistance in managing the Government’s
legislative program, including administrative
support for the Legislation Standing
Committee of Cabinet, was provided.
The 2015 Spring Sittings commenced on
11 August 2015, with the 2016 Autumn
sittings concluding on 30 June 2016.
40 Government Bills and one Private
Members’ Bill were passed for the year.
Staff also managed the Parliamentary
Questions database, coordinating
responses to:
2,292 Parliamentary Questions on Notice.
2,406 Parliamentary Questions Without Notice.
34 / Annual Report
provide strategic advice and services in
relation to human resource matters and other
operational issues to the Premier’s Office and
all Ministerial Offices.
The Ministerial Merit Panel assesses the
merits of any proposed staff to be seconded
or appointed to a Ministerial Office. It advises
on the classification and salary to be offered
to ensure a consistent approach to the
appointment process across all Ministerial
Offices. During 2015-16 the Ministerial Merit
Panel considered 116 submissions in both
formal and out-of-session meetings.
The Community Comment Line and
Correspondence staff provide services which
allow members of the public, government
departments and agencies, community
organisations and private businesses to
convey their views to the Premier and
Ministers via telephone, email and letters.
Throughout 2015-16 staff responded to
743 telephone calls and actioned
6686 items of correspondence.
Administration of entitlements
for Members and former
Members of ParliamentThroughout 2015 and 2016, the Entitlements
and Transport Branch continued its
commitment to providing support to all
Members of Parliament and their staff for the
purpose of conducting their parliamentary
and electorate responsibilities.
The Branch continued to administer and
provide advice in respect to travel, leasing of
vehicles and other entitlements available to
current and former Members of Parliament.
Media ServicesThe Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s
Media Services comprises the Government
Communications Unit (GCU), the Media
Monitoring Unit (MMU) and the Administrative
Support Unit (ASU).
The GCU manages the advertising and
communication approval process through
the Independent Communications Review
Committee (ICRC).
The MMU caters for the media monitoring
needs of the Premier and Ministers.
The ASU coordinates and distributes
information to media outlets, and provides
support to ministerial media advisers.
It maintains the Ministerial Media Statements
website (www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au)
and the Premier of Western Australia and
Cabinet Ministers’ website (www.premier.
wa.gov.au). The ASU arranges and hosts
media conferences in the Dumas Media
Room to meet the need for fast and effective
communications.
Statistics from 1 July, 2015
to 30 June, 2016
1,605 statements published on the Media Statements website.
1,555,230 visitors to the Media Statements website.
Annual Report / 35
A view to Cape Inscription from Turtle Bay,
Dirk Hartog Island, October 2015
Significant Issues Impacting the Department
Creating a strong partnership between the public and
not-for-profit sectors remained a focus for the Department in
2015-16, which included supporting the Partnership Forum to consolidate funding and contracting reforms and to promote
collaborative policy and service design to improve outcomes for individuals, families and the Western Australian community.
Through encouraging stronger cooperative
science relationships between Government,
industry and researchers at local, national
and international levels, the Department
endeavoured to contribute to Western
Australia’s economic productivity and
competitiveness, including pursuing joint
arrangements across key scientific research
areas with Asia-Pacific countries.
The Department continued to progress the
completion of the Strategic Assessment
of the Perth and Peel regions, which
will support the growth of the city to
a population of 3.5 million, and deliver a
strategic conservation plan to protect and
manage the region’s bushland, rivers and
native plants and animals.
The Department also worked with other
government agencies, the Dutch Government
and the Shire of Shark Bay to prepare for and
coordinate the delivery of an agreed range
of legacy initiatives to commemorate and
celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Dirk
Hartog’s landing at Cape Inscription on
Dirk Hartog Island.
The Department made significant progress
towards the completion of all legal processes
associated with the registration of the six
Indigenous Land Use Agreements, which
make up the South West Native Title
Settlement (the Settlement). The Settlement
is the most comprehensive native title
agreement proposed in Australian history, and
represents a significant investment in both the
Noongar community and future of the State.
Reform of the arrangements for distribution
of GST revenue was the highest priority for
the Department in promoting a Western
Australian perspective to the development
of Commonwealth White Papers with respect
to Federation Reform, Tax Reform and
Northern Australia. A proposed new national
competition reform agreement is expected to
include payments to States to redistribute
the benefits of reform.
Assistance was provided to other
departments in the State’s response to the
Commonwealth Government on the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the
Home and Community Care program and
other priorities in the Human Services arena.
Above all, the Department provided oversight
for the second year of the comparative
trials of the NDIS, which will help to inform
the future State-wide roll-out in Western
Australia.
Explanation of Significant VariancesTotal cost of servicesThe total cost of services is less than target
primarily due to the deferral of Native Title
and Office of Science Grants.
Net cost of servicesThe net cost of services is less than target
primarily due to the deferral of Native Title
and Office of Science Grants.
Total equityTotal equity is more than target due to a
higher than expected surplus for the period
due to deferral of Native Title and Office of
Science Grants.
Net increase/(decrease)
in cash heldThe increase in the cash balance is mainly
due to unspent funds relating to the Native
Title and Office of Science Grants, plus a
carry-over of funds for the Yarloop clean-up.
Approved FTE
(full-time equivalent)The recruitment freeze during 2015-16
resulted in FTE savings against Target.
It should also be noted that the target was
conservative and has been decreased as
part of the 2016-17 Budget Process.
Actual results versus budget targets
2015-16
Target
$000
2015-16
Actual
$000
Variance
$000
Total cost of services 184,222 174,918 9,304
Net cost of services 179,949 170,486 9,463
Total equity 72,821 82,371 9,550
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held (5033) 6,708 11,741
2015-16
Target
2015-16
Actual
Variance
Approved FTE 708 666 42
Annual Report / 37